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Touchscreen Technology

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Touchscreen technology: The world at your f ingert ips

What’s the invisible technology essential to smartphones, tablets and other

mobile devices that generated an estimated $16 billion in revenues in 2012?1 The

answer is touchscreen technology, and it transforms the world we live in with a

swipe, a touch and a gesture. It’s also sparked an explosive growth of the mobile

device market. By 2018, the touchscreen industry is expected to be $32 billion.2

And, according to the research firm IDTechEx, the touchscreen market is expected

to triple by 2022.3 Considering a recent study shows that 72 percent of Americans

are within five feet of their devices at any given moment, it’s no wonder

touchscreen technology is something we can no longer live without.4

In case you missed the headlines, in October of this year, Samsung® released

a curved phone, aimed to enhance the touchscreen experience. The Galaxy

Round® is the latest model that paves the way for bendable and unbreakable

touchscreens, and provides more functionality than flat screen phones. The

Galaxy Round has a horizontal curve that allows for a more comfortable grip, and

includes a tilt function that allows users to check information such as missed calls

and battery life, even when the home screen is off. In addition, users can scroll

through media files by simply pressing the screen’s right or left side.5 It’s the latest

and greatest in touchscreen technology, but in reality, it’s a small taste of what is

on the horizon.

Once a futuristic concept, touchscreen technology is found in everything from

music players to printers, train ticket machines to supermarket self-checkouts.

The ability to manipulate the world is just a finger touch away, and it’s become so

commonplace you may not even realize you’re using it. Game consoles, tablets,

computers and smartphones are the most common devices that use touchscreen

technology. But it is also used with voting machines, satellite navigation and at

airports to check in travelers more efficiently. Think about the last time you went

to a museum, you most likely used touchscreen computers to find out more about

the displays. The interfaces that use touchscreen technology are abundant, and as

1 Poor, Alfred. “How It Works: The Technology of Touch Screens.” Computerworld. N.p., 17 Oct. 2012. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.<http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9231961/How_it_works_The_technology_of_touch_screens?pageNumber=1>.

2 Loudon, Bennett. “Kodak Touchscreen Markets.” USA Today. Gannett, 12 July 2012. Web. 21 Oct. 2013. <http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/07/12/kodak-touchscreen-markets/2512641/>.

3 Thiele, Cathleen. “Touch Screen Modules: Technologies, Markets, Forecasts 2012-2022.” IDTechEx. N.p., May 2013. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. <http://www.idtechex.com/research/reports/touch-screen-modules-technologies-markets-forecasts-2012-2022-000303.asp>.

4 Thomas, Alexandra. “Now in America.” HLNtv.com. N.p., 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/09/05/forgot-my-phone-smartphone-internet-addiction>.

5 “Samsung Launches Galaxy Round, World’s First Smartphone with Curved Display.” Hindustan Times. N.p., 9 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/PersonalTech-Updates/Samsung-launches-Galaxy-Round-world-s-first-smartphone-with-curved-display/Article1-1132823.aspx>.


technology advances, more products are incorporating this efficient and

user-friendly interface. It’s hard to argue that the impact is profound; the world

is literally at our fingertips.

In fact, it’s transformed the way we live, work and learn. Think about

chalkboards, for example. A large percent of the population probably

remembers classrooms equipped with chalkboards and erasers. But today,

many classrooms are equipped with whiteboards or a Smart Board® that

is used when students aren’t working on tablets. In case you’ve never

seen one, Smart Boards use interactive technology in combination with

a computer, projector and whiteboard that allows users to manipulate

content with the touch of a finger.

What makes the touchscreen concept so popular? Simply, touchscreen technology

is instinctive and easy to learn, and it’s got a science fiction thrill to it. It’s not

just convenience that has made it a mainstay in modern gadgetry, it’s exciting

and comfortable. And, it’s growing every day in popularity. Gartner® predicts

that in 2015 more than 50 percent of PCs purchased for users under the age of

15 will have touchscreens, up from fewer than two percent in 2009.6 In addition,

touchscreen technology has just scratched the surface; the future is evolving

beyond our wildest imaginations.

This Blue Paper® looks at the evolution of touchscreen technology, how it works

and glances into the future. Believe it or not, despite the leaps and bounds it’s

made and the impact it has on our daily lives, touchscreen technology is still in its

infancy. The paper also looks at the pros and cons of touchscreen technology, and

how it’s being used to improve the customer experience in a number of industries.

Finally, the paper explores how a company might integrate touchscreen methods

to enhance marketing. So get comfortable, you’re about to reach out and touch

the future.

The evolut ion of touchscreen before the iPhone®

A common perception is that Apple® invented the touchscreen with the iPhone.

In truth, Apple was an innovator of touchscreen technology, but hardly the

inventor. Touchscreen technology was first introduced in 1965 by inventor E.A.

Johnson at the Royal Radar Establishment in Malvern, United Kingdom.7 His work

focused on the concept of capacitive touch, which is the exact concept used in

6 Boswell, Wendy. “Why Developers Should Pay Attention to Touch.” Why Developers Should Pay Attention to Touch. N.p., 20 Mar. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://software.intel.com/en-us/blogs/2013/03/20/why-developers-should-pay-attention-to-touch>.

7 Ion, Florence. “From Touch Displays to the Surface: A Brief History of Touchscreen Technology.” Ars Technica. N.p., 4 Apr. 2013. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. <http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/04/from-touch-displays-to-the-surface-a-brief-history-of-touchscreen-technology/>.


many smartphones today. In 1967, he published the article “Touch Displays: A

Programmed Man-Machine Interface” in the journal Ergonomics, and just like

that, touchscreen concepts were born.

Figure 1. depicts the basic elements of a capacitive touchscreen. The panel uses an

insulator, such as glass, that is coated with a transparent conductor such as indium

tin oxide (ITO), which allows the human finger to act as the conductive. Early

technology introduced by Johnson only allowed screens to process one touch,

which differs from the “multi-touch” concepts used today. Nonetheless, his early

touch interface was adopted by air traffic controllers in the UK, and remained in

use until the late 1990s.

Figure 1. Capacitive touchscreen technology

During the 1970s, another form of touchscreen technology called resistive

technology was developed, almost by accident. American inventor G. Samuel

Hurst was working on another project when he came up with the idea to use

electrically conductive paper for an experiment. During the process, he realized

the same technology could be used for other purposes. He formed a venture

called “Elographics,” and discovered that a touchscreen on a computer monitor

was an ideal method of interaction.

Resistive touch technology responds to pressure rather than electrical

conductivity. Unlike the capacitive screen, the resistive design is made of several

layers and responds to pressure from a finger or stylus. The outer layer flexes

under any touch, and is pushed back onto a layer behind it. This completes a

circuit, telling the device which part of the screen is being pressed.

In the 1980s, multi-touch technologies appeared after the University of Toronto

developed a tablet that could read multiple points of contact. Two years later,

Bell Labs developed a touchscreen that changed images with more than one

hand. Also during this decade, Bill Buxton, a computer scientist and pioneer of


human-computer interaction invented the multi-touch tablet using capacitive

technology.8 Interestingly, today Buxton is a principal researcher for Microsoft®

and continues to contribute to the evolution of touchscreen technology.

It was during the 1990s that touchscreen technology found its way into the

hands of consumers. Thanks to the work of computer scientist Andrew Sears,

who studied human-computer interaction, things that we take for granted like

swiping, tapping and multi-touch interactions were discovered. Suddenly, screens

became more receptive to touch and gestures, and as a result, innovation began

to focus on using this concept in personal devices and cellphones.

As you may recall, it was during the 1990s that the first personal digital assistants

(PDAs) were released. Hand-held devices like the Newton PDA and Palm Pilot®

quickly became the latest “must-have” gadgets in the business world. PDA devices

didn’t necessarily feature the finger-to-screen type of touchscreens that are used

to today, but because consumers embraced the concept, technology leaders

realized the market potential and innovation flourished.

The early part of the millennium can be characterized as the touchscreen

explosion. Technology advancements and creative innovation brought

multi-touch and gesture-based technology to the masses. The Nintendo DS® was

released in 2004 as the first touchscreen, handheld gaming system, and

it profoundly impacted the gaming industry. Of course, the pivotal moment in

history is when Apple® released the iPhone in 2007 as the first product

that operated solely on touchscreen technology. Shortly thereafter, consumers

were introduced to the iPad® and iPod Touch® and competitors quickly followed

suit. The touchscreen market had arrived, bringing with it new ideas and products

that made consumers hungry for more.

The evolution of the touchscreen explosion is fascinating. If you’d like to learn

more, the technology firm GUIFX® published a listing of touchscreens that

changed the world. It highlights the products that were revolutionary from the

1970s until present day.

How does touchscreen technology work?

According to PC Magazine® a touchscreen is, “a display screen that is sensitive to

the touch of a finger or stylus.”9 It’s widely used with ATM machines, retail point-

of-sale terminals, car navigation systems, medical monitors and industrial control

8 Erickson, Christine. “The Touching History of Touchscreen Tech.” Mashable. N.p., 9 Nov. 2012. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. <http://mashable.com/2012/11/09/touchscreen-history/>.

9 Bellis, Mary. “Who Invented Touch Screen Technology?” About.com Inventors. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. <http://inventors.about.com/od/tstartinventions/a/Touch-Screen.htm>.


panels. It’s become one of the most widely used technologies, and it continues to

evolve. But, how does it work, exactly? There are essentially four different types

of systems that are used to recognize a person’s touch. These include resistive,

capacitive, surface acoustic wave and infrared technologies. The following chart

(Figure 2.) illustrates the basic differences between the technologies.

Figure 2. Touchscreen Technology Explained10

If you’re still confused about the difference between resistive, capacitive, surface

acoustic and infrared touchscreens, you might consider watching a three-minute

video produced by Virgin Mobile® or check out a handy infographic that clearly

outlines the differences between the technologies. Figure 3. below also provides

a snapshot of some of the differences between the touchscreen technologies.

Figure 3. Summary of touchscreen technology options.11

10 “Touchscreen Computers: A History.” BB Online. Touchscreen Computers Knowledge Base, 2011. Web. 11 Oct. 2013. <http://www.touchscreencomputers.co.uk/history.html>.

11 “Optical Touch: How It Differs from Other Technologies.” NextWindow. N.p., 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2013. <http://www.nextwindow.com/optical/comparison.html>.


L i fe with touchscreens

In 2010, the firm The Astonishing Tribe® (TAT®) released a video on YouTube®

that depicted the future of touchscreen technology. The video shows how people

might use touchscreen technology throughout their daily experiences in the year

2014. It gives the viewer a glimpse into how touchscreen technology can be used

at home, work and in every day interactions. It begins with a man waking up,

expanding his touchscreen alarm clock to read the news, followed by a woman

brushing her teeth and using her mirror as a touchscreen interface to review

her schedule and access headlines. In the workplace, you see employees using

touchscreen technology on multiple interactive screens and desktop tables. It’s a

fascinating and accurate portrayal of how touchscreen technology is engrained

into daily lives. As explained by TAT in the video precursor: “Capacitive screens

have now become a commodity for touchscreen devices … imagination is the

only thing stopping us. We will soon have dual screens, malleable screens,

screens built into Wi-Fi connected mirrors, desks or backside of gadgets

clothed with e-ink screens, tactile feedback, color screens with great contrast

in sunlight, holographics/stereoscopic screens, or screens actually knowing

where they are in relation to other screens thanks to ultrasonic emitters

and microphones.”12 Clearly, imagination is the only barrier to the future of

touchscreen. So, let’s take a look at some of the touchscreen technology that’s

developing in modern day homes.

At its research center, Microsoft created a live diorama centered on the future

of touchscreen. Located within Microsoft’s Envisioning center, at the Redmond,

Washington campus, you can see a living room “of the future.” The room

represents a high tech living space designed to make the future “easier and

more enjoyable.”13 According to Steve Clayton, editor of Microsoft’s blog Next,

the room is like “a concept car that allows us to share what it might be like to

experience future technologies with visitors, get their feedback, tweak, remix

and discuss.”14

So what’s in the room? Imagine a family wall that uses Microsoft’s SmartGlass®

technology that enables a family to post pictures, stay organized or connect

remotely with other tablets or devices. The interactive wall uses voice automation

as well as touchscreen capability, and is pitched as the replacement to using your

refrigerator to communicate important information. In one scene, one of the

family members holds up a piece of food to the touch-enabled kitchen wall and

12 Boswell, Wendy. “Why Developers Should Pay Attention to Touch.” Intel Software., 20 Mar. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://software.intel.com/en-us/blogs/2013/03/20/why-developers-should-pay-attention-to-touch>.

13 Ion, Florence. “ArsTechnica.” Ars Technica. N.p., 1 May 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2013. <http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/05/looking-ahead-at-touchscreen-technology-where-do-we-go-from-here/>.

14 Ibid.


asks for recipe ideas. Much of what is featured in the room is a glimpse of what’s

possible in the next five years, and how touchscreen technology will impact every

aspect of our lives.

Soon you’ll see appliances incorporate touchscreen elements. Although the basic

function of appliances won’t change, touchscreen technology may change how

we operate and control them. Companies like Samsung® and LG® have started

developing touchscreen displays on appliances that can interact with smartphones

or tablets. In what LG describes as “Smart Home” technology, homeowners will

be able to control appliances virtually using defined gestures.15 LG and others

are using near-field communication (NFC), which means you can simply wave

a smartphone over devices to connect them together. The goal, said LG North

America President and CEO Wayne Park is to “make it so that consumers can

engage with their smart home in a way that’s natural and automatic, rather than

convoluted and anti-intuitive.”

Specifically, smart appliances will offer self-diagnosis capabilities, and send

owners a message to their smartphone or device alerting the owner to any

potential problems or malfunctions. Smart appliances will also share advice

on how to improve efficiency or make life easier. The smart refrigerator, for

example, will let you see what’s in your fridge to help plan shopping trips or

tell you how you can maximize energy efficiency. Meanwhile, the smart oven

will provide downloadable recipes or cooking methods based on your cooking

habits and oven usage.

How about using your smartphone to vacuum? The new HOM-BOT® robot

vacuum can be remote controlled by smartphones, and is equipped with an

onboard camera to let you check the cleaning process remotely. Now imagine

that all of your appliances are tied into a single platform for ease in control and

monitoring, and you’ll have an idea of how touchscreen technology will fully

integrate with appliances in the future.

Touchscreen trends

A technology that’s making headlines today is kikin®, the latest touchscreen

search tool that will be released by Vodafone later this year.16 It’s an enhanced

touch tool to help you find information on the Web. If you are reading an article,

for example, and come across a phrase you want to know more about, with

15 Etherington, Darrell. “LG’s Smart Home Gets A Lot Smarter In 2013.” TechCrunch RSS. N.p., 7 Jan. 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2013. <http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/07/lgs-smart-home-gets-a-lot-smarter-in-2013-the-company-reveals-its-vision-at-ces/>.

16 “The Power in Your Fingers: The Secrets of Tomorrow’s Touchscreens.” Vodafone Social. N.p., 26 Feb. 2013. Web. 07 Oct. 2013. <http://blog.vodafone.co.uk/2013/02/26/secrets-of-tomorrows-touchscreens/>.


kikin all you need to do is touch the word, and a Web browser at the top of the

page will give you access to everything you want to know about that keyword or

phrase. It’s an easier way to access Web content without leaving your page.

Likewise, Nokia released a super sensitive, touchscreen technology with the Nokia

Lumina® 820 that allows users to click their phone even if they are wearing gloves.

Meanwhile, earlier this year Sony® rolled out the Xperia Sola® phone, which uses

Floating touch™ technology. Floating touch is a new touch-sensor technology that

lets users interact with a phone without even touching it. A finger hovers over

the screen up to 20mm above the screen, which means you can hover over a link

to pick it out, then touch the screen to select it. This technology is valuable with

smaller Web links because it controls the user interface without ever touching it.

Finally, as of 2012, all Samsung® phones are equipped with Swype® technology,

which is gesture-based technology that identifies what you are typing before you

are finished. Thanks to Swype, all you need to do is drag your finger around keys,

and the technology makes intelligent guesses about the words you are using, and

the more you use it, the better it gets at guessing.

Some claim the future of touchscreen technology will incorporate stylus use to

a greater extent. When we think of touchscreen technology, we often think of

human touch as the primary connector. However, in some cases, the use of a

stylus is more appropriate and accurate. Not only does it give fingers a rest, but

it also increases functionality. For example, with a stylus, users can incorporate

handwriting into documents when needed. Or, by using a stylus, one can hover

over email attachments and files to preview them as thumbnails, or circle pictures

on the Web that can be cut and pasted into a document. Accordingly, a lot of

innovation is focused on perfecting the use of the stylus for those that need

more defined interaction.

Touchscreens that touch back

Another touch technology that’s evolving is haptics vibration. Haptics vibration

simulates a sensation of touch when a touchscreen button has been pressed. For

example, a phone would vibrate slightly in response to the user’s activation of an

on-screen control. The resistive force that some “force feedback” joysticks and

game steering wheels provide (for instance, think of the Wii®) is another form of

haptic feedback.

Companies like Immersion® have introduced platforms that take haptics to the

next level. Imagine strumming a guitar, and strumming actual strings, only you’re

using a flat computer equipped with haptics technology. Or, imagine playing a

game that allows you to choose a different weapon for each activity, and you can


actually feel the difference in strength and precision. Immersion’s new platform

MOTIV® technology provides touchback technology that opens up a whole new

world for the user. Likewise, Microsoft Research in Asia introduced SlickFeel, a

technology that makes an ordinary sheet of glass feel as if it has physical buttons

or even a physical slider with varying levels of resistance. Such haptic feedback

could help users find the right control on compact devices like smartphones, or

enable the use of a touchscreen without looking at it; which would be handy for

use in cars.

What about touchscreens that have buttons that magically appear during use?

Tactus® Technology is developing a new interface that incorporates the use of

buttons that appear on demand and allow users to push and type their fingers

as they would with any physical button or keyboard. When the buttons are

disabled, they disappear into the screen, becoming invisible and allowing the flat

touchscreen to reappear.17 The Tactile Layer™ technology integrates with modern

day touchscreen-based devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, personal navigation

systems, gaming devices, and more) and merely replaces the front layer of the

existing display. If you want to learn more about this fascinating technology,

Tactus published a useful whitepaper online titled “Taking Touch Screen

Interfaces Into a New Dimension.”

Finally, imagine using 3D haptic technology to review a patient’s brain scan

to help identify treatment options. Thanks to Microsoft, this is possible. While

3D haptic touch is expected to become valuable in the medical field, it’s easy

to picture it being used in education, too. It could be a way to allow students

to touch and feel materials that would be too dangerous or rare to handle in

the real world. In the PC realm, some applications might include 3D modeling

and visualization apps. The ability to provide realistic, 3D images that can be

manipulated with the human hand is just another way that touchscreen might

change the way we live, work and learn.

How to give customers a touching exper ience

Are you one of those shoppers that hate trying on clothes in confined dressing

rooms? If so, then the future of touchscreen may improve your shopping

experience. At the John Lewis® department store in London, shoppers no longer

have to change clothes to try on new outfits.18 Instead, they can stand in front

of a full-length digital mirror and use hand motions to swipe from one outfit to

the next. With a quick touch, you can change the color of a dress you are trying

17 “Overview: Tactus Technology.” Tactus Technology. N.p., 2013. Web. 11 Oct. 2013. <http://www.tactustechnology.com/technology.html>.

18 Frier, Sarah. “Keeping the Customer Digitized.” BloombergBusinessWeek, 1 May 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2013. <http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-30/keeping-the-customer-digitized>.


on, without removing your clothes. The technology, developed by Cisco

Systems®, uses a 3D camera to capture a person’s shape in conjunction

with touchscreen technology so that customers can “try on” outfits

without visiting a dressing room. The mirrors are part of a pilot program

designed to help launch the concept at other stores across the globe.

Gartner® research shows that 85 percent of purchases will be influenced

by some kind of digital experience in 2015 (up from 40 percent in 2012),

so it’s not surprising that companies are adding more touchscreen features

to products and services.19

Indeed, touchscreens are designed to make life easier, and companies are

capitalizing on the opportunity. For example, companies like PepsiCo® and

Royal Caribbean Cruises® now use tablets, digital signs, touchscreen kiosks

and mobile applications to improve the customer experience. Likewise, in

New York, Bloomingdale’s® display windows include several digital screens

that enable customers walking by to try on high-end sunglasses. The

interactive display regularly draws crowds which the company hopes will

translate into increased sales.

If you’ve travelled to the Minneapolis airport recently, you probably noticed the

abundance of touchscreen services and solutions. Delta®, for example, introduced

the OTG Media Bar™, a virtual newsstand where customers have the option to

rent an iPad, complete with content of their choice. The devices are available

throughout the terminal, and customers can download publications, movies,

music and apps to enjoy during their flight. Once the guest reaches their final

destination, they return the iPad in a pre-paid postage box that’s received at the

time of rental.20

Also, within the Minneapolis airport, there are four restaurants that let diners

order dinner directly from their table. Tables are equipped with anchored iPads,

which can also be used to surf the Internet, play games or check email. When

customers are finished with their meal, all they need to do is swipe their credit

card through the attached payment terminal on the iPad, and they are free to

go. It’s a new, futuristic concept that customers praise, not only for the ease in

ordering and paying for a meal, but for the fun and exciting atmosphere it helps

create.21 It’s another way touchscreen is being used to enhance the customer

experience by making it easier and faster to purchase and explore products.

19 Ibid.20 News Archive.” Delta Air Lines Newsroom -. N.p., 16 May 2011. Web. 17 Oct. 2013. <http://news.delta.com/

index.php?s=43>.21 Flemming, Jess. “New Minneapolis-St. Paul airport restaurants are worth the Flight.” TwinCities.com. N.p.,

12 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.twincities.com/ci_21524040/new-minneapolis-st-paul-airport-restaurants-are-worth>.


Integrat ing touchscreen in your business

Although almost any business can benefit from the use of touchscreen technology, it’s most frequently used in retail, aviation, manufacturing, hospitals, and businesses related to healthcare. For hospitals and healthcare providers, touchscreen tablets provide moveable technology that is durable and easy to clean. Doctors use them to ensure safe health checks and examinations on site. In addition, information that is presented on screen helps medical staff walk through complex procedures. Portable touchscreen technology helps bring medical attention to far reaching and remote areas that are otherwise difficult to reach. Thanks to this type of technology, patients are able to get screened and monitored from home or remote areas that lack medical facilities.

According to the firm TechSling®, touchscreen technology speeds up tasks by as much as 20 percent.22 That is probably related to the fact that touchscreens provide instantaneous results with a mere touch of the finger. They also require less hand-eye coordination than computers or cell phones, allowing users to complete actions faster. Time savings is especially prevalent when customers use handy, portable kiosks to search product information, which is why they are becoming more common across a variety of industries, too. The transportation industry uses them to make it easier for customers to print tickets or boarding passes. Meanwhile, grocery stores are increasing the number of self-check-out options that use touchscreen registers. Some companies are also using touchscreen kiosks for recruiting purposes. Many stores offer the ability for potential employees to apply online using a touchscreen that collects job employment history and contact information. Likewise, in retail stores, touchscreen kiosks help customers find baby and wedding registries and provide the opportunity to order items for delivery immediately, without ever stepping into the store if you prefer.

Also, educational touchscreen devices are found in schools and other learning centers because of the ease in which they promote learning and training. Younger generations find it fun and intuitive, while corporations find it valuable for training new hires and skill-based training. In addition, this approach can help offset training costs associated with staff and curriculum materials.

You probably noticed the increased use of touchscreens at trade shows. It’s an effective way to showcase your product, draw a crowd and collect leads. However, depending on the type of touchscreen you acquire, you can spend anywhere from $1,500-$80,000 for a large-format, touch display.23 This is because like any product, you pay more for high-end services and features. The more expensive

22 Cornell, Scott. “Benefits of Touch Screen Technology.” Business & Entrepreneurship. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2013. <http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/benefits-touch-screen-technology-15521.html>.

23 Webster, Jessica. “Touchscreen Displays Cost How Much?” DigitalSignageToday.com. N.p., 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013. <http://www.digitalsignagetoday.com/blog/11151/Touchscreen-displays-cost-how-much>.


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touchscreen displays provide enhanced design and usability, clearer pictures and visuals, and increased touch accuracy. Experts caution that “you get what you pay for” when it comes to touchscreens, so it’s best to do your homework if you are considering making an investment. In addition, since touchscreen technology is a moving target, you’ll want to consider future needs and invest in something that will fit your needs in the future.

For this reason, a number of companies choose to rent touchscreen kiosks that can be customized based on their needs. Vernon Computer Source is just one of the many companies that customize touchscreens for trade shows, conventions, training and other purposes. In reality, there are dozens of organizations that can help customize touchscreen solutions for your business, it’s a thriving industry due to the expense associated with developing these tools in-house. Touchscreens can be customized to provide product information for customers, say in a business lobby or waiting area. Print features that are built into some models make it easy for customers to take the information they need with them. Renting touchscreen technologies is a cost effective way to obtain high quality, leading edge tools that can help customers shop or learn more about your product without breaking a budget.

Get ready to reach out and touch the future

In summary, what’s in store for the immediate future of touchscreen technology? As you’ve probably gathered, you should get used to hearing about things like sensitive touch, floating touch, the return of the stylus, projected touchscreens and more. New products are being released almost every day, and it’s nearly impossible to keep up. If you aren’t using touchscreen methods in your company, think about whether a touchscreen solution might help you improve the customer experience, bring products to new venues, or help attract and retain employees.

While these tools provide different features and methods, they share one critical commonality: They seek to make life easier. Moving forward, touchscreen technology promises to give customers and employees greater convenience while enhancing the way we market and sell products. So, get ready to touch the world, and along the way, make your customers and shareholders happy. That’s a touching view of the future.

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